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Considering the time was 1.21s fast and just 1.29s off the course record (set by The Fugue in the 2014 Prince of Wales Stakes), I would suggest that being out the back was entirely the right tactic to use.
From what I saw about the pace… Being at the back was no disadvantage. Although possibly having to go widest off the turn was… But not the amount Ombudsman was beaten by – so not “unlucky” at all. Calandagan came from second last too – and they’re similar types – so the pace was no excuse. Calandagan the best horse. EDIT: Made the same comments as LD.
Delacroix didn’t have a clear run through, but clearly third best on the day. Graffard and Gosden in better form than AOB too. Delacroix just not quite at his best which would imo have got him closer to the front two without beating them. Delacroix can get a bit hot and mess about beforehand. I wonder whether “The Lads” knew he had done so either on course or in transit to the track. Friendless in the market which is usually ominous for a Coolmore horse.
O’Brien with no Group 1’s on Champions Day.
Value Is EverythingI have to ask what the pacemakers actually bought to the party again. It was another silly farce where they were both done miles out because they’d overdone it. There was a decent sized field there today, did any of them really need a pacemaker? I’ve always felt a really top horse with the right temperament and a good blend of attributes will win if they are on their game regardless of the setup of the race and yes Frankel had a pacemaker but he didn’t need it and he was a bit of a lunatic anyway so he doesn’t tick the temperament box. I don’t like these Goldilocks types who need it teeing up on a plate or they can’t win.
Pacemakers were totally pointless today. The winner the best horse on the day. Delacroix was just too on his toes today and the Irish champion maybe a race too many before coming here.Calandagan surely the best horse around now.
Personally, I think the pacemakers did their job ok but that was in part due to the fact several of the field actually went with them rather than letting them go well clear – the whole point was to have a well run race and that is exactly what we got and the race was all the better for it as the cream rose to the top.
Had they not been in the race I am really not sure where the pace would have come from and then we are looking at a likely slowly run tactical race where horses that shouldn’t be at the business end of the race are getting in the way and it ends up being all very messy with the result being that we could have ended up with another shock winner.
This is especially true when you consider that the big three were/are all hold up horses that prefer to come late and fast with one run to win their races – being held up in a slowly run race can mean you are entirely in the wrong position or waiting for gaps to open when the sprint starts.
On a seperate note, sad to hear that Economics bled again after the race and that unfortunately is the second time in his last two races (a year apart) that it has happened, not sure why connections need to have a talk about his future as he needs to be retired as he clearly is a fragile horse (missed pretty much the whole of this season due to a different injury issue).
Its a real shame that his connections patient approach hasn’t enabled him to build upon his two G2 and Irish Champion Stakes wins of last season.
“At least a good horse has won this Group 1 instead of the rag.”
I have no problem with a rag winning a race
we would moan if the favourite won every race at massive odds on
Also if we didn’t have rags running or pacemakers we would moan about it being small fieldsCharles Darwin to conquer the World
Calandagan will hopefully get the credit he deserves after a proper race and a classy win- definitely the best horse in Europe right now and as a gelding surely likely to be around another 2 seasons at least.
I have slated Barzalona in the past for getting it wrong at Epsom but he rode a perfectly judged race yesterday- bravo monsieur. The horse should be a double winner of this race but last year an inside draw and Steph Pasquier going to the front a fraction too soon cost him the race. In five UK group 1’s his record is 2-2-2-1-1 and he has never been beaten more than a length. Arguably, without jockey error, he could be 4 wins from 5 with only City of Troy holding sway over him. Formidable as they say en France.Economics bled according to a report I read , he bled last year in the same race I think . In OZ and NZ the general thinking is a bleeder more chance of going alright for a few runs and then more likely to bled again a few runs in , to bled again fresh up he has big issue if thats the case .
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